Dream Castles and Islands for Sale: A Rare Opportunity

The $47,000 Castle in Akabira, Japan

A six-storey Japanese castle in Akabira, Hokkaido, Japan, is on the market for £47,000, offering buyers a rare opportunity to live out their fairytale dream in a remote coal-mining town.

Built in 1991, the castle was designed to recreate the look of traditional Japanese fortresses from the Edo and Sengoku periods, with its appearance compared to Himeji Castle, Japan's famous white-walled castle and a UNESCO-listed landmark.

The property sits on 5,045 square metres of land, and is located a short drive from the popular Furano Ski Resort,with convenient transport links to Sapporo as well as nearby airports and train services.

Inside, there is a restaurant on the second floor, a working lift connecting all six levels, and space for up to 40 vehicles. Utilities are already connected, meaning the property is readily available for a range of uses.

However, there is a major catch. While the fortress is packed with intriguing features, the new owner will need to spend money on quite a bit of repair work, with roof tile replacemet and parapet repairs expected to cost around £37 ,000, while annual property tax is currently priced at around £5,600.

The £350,000 Island in Scotland

A remote island in Scotland, Mullagrach Island, is up for sale with a guide price of £350,000, after being on sale for £500,000 in 2024.

The island spans approximately 88.7 acres and is located in the Summer Isles, two miles off the northwest coast of Scotland, with the Wester Ross Marine Protected island sitting at the mouth of Loch Broom and part of Scotland's first UNESCO Geopark.

At the heart of the island's rugged landscape sits a cosy wood eco-cabin that is powered by solar-panels and allows rainwater harvesting and composting, with the island coming with its own landing stage and only accessible by boat from harbours at Old Dornie and Ullapool.

The island boasts the deepest cave in the Summer Isles archipelago called Am Fang, and is home to a variety of wildlife that live among the island's heather and rocky terrain, including Great Skua, Kittiwakes and Fulmars.

What Auditors Flagged in the May Filing

According to the May filing , the sale of Mullagrach presents a compelling opportunity for buyers seeking something genuinely rare, with Mhairi Archibald, associate director of Savills Auctions, saying: 'We're seeing good levels of demand for truly unique assets coming to auction, and private islands often capture the imagination.'

The sale of Mullagrach presents a compelling opportunity for buyers seeking something genuinely rare, with its scale, setting and ready-to-enjoy accommodation, we expect significant interest ahead of the sale.

Who is the Unnamed Buyer?

The unnamed buyer of the Japanese castle is looking for a unique opportunity to live out their fairytale dream in a remote location, with the castle offering a range of possibilities, whether as a private residence,a boutique hotel or a unique events venue.

However, there are some catches to consider, including the need for repair work on the castle and the island's remote location.

The Broader Context

The sale of these unique properties is part of a broader trend of buyers seeking unique and rare assets, with private islands and castles often capturing the imagination.

The sale of Mullagrach Island presents a compelling opportunity for buyers seeking something genuinely rare, with its scale, setting and ready-to-enjoy accommodation, we expect significant interest ahead of the sale.

The sale of the Japanese castle and the Scottish island is a rare opportunity for buyers to live out their fairytale dream in a remote location, with the castle offering a range of possibilities, whether as a private residence, a boutique hotel or a unique events venue.